The German armed forces intend to supply its fleet with 35 American F-35 stealth fighters, as the government continues to raise defense spending, and amid fears of the repercussions of the Russian war on Ukraine.
Government sources said - on Monday - that it is scheduled to buy the fighters from the American company, "Lockheed Martin", to be a successor model to the "Tornado" fighter fleet, which has been in use for more than 40 years.
The F-35 is the world's newest combat aircraft.
Because of its special shape and outer coating, it is difficult for enemy radars to detect.
It appears that the Berlin government has reconsidered and retracted its previous fears that the purchase of the F-35 could negate joint plans with France to build a joint European fighter "Future Combat Air System" (FCAS).
In the case of the F-35, it was recently indicated that NATO partners in Europe are also using the aircraft, and that "synergistic effects" will be possible during operation.
The current government had agreed to change the Tornado fleet in the coalition agreement drawn up after the general elections last September.
In light of reports of old and depleted equipment for years, the German army is currently upgrading its equipment.
Last February, German Chancellor Olaf Schulz announced a massive increase in defense spending, and it is clear that Russia's war on Ukraine has forced Berlin to rethink its defense policies.
Schulz said that the German army would receive 100 billion euros from the federal budget for the implementation of investments and armaments projects.